Visiting Ooty is truly a phenomenal experience. Situated in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is a quintessential hill station to explore. The subtle hills of this place have a certain charm about them. It feels as if they exude a vibe of mysticism and simplicity at the same time. The adorable hill station is known by various names like Queen of Hills and is considered a dream destination by many. And why not so, as exploring the gorgeous lakes, the old colonial architecture will make your trip an unforgettable one.
Best Time to Visit Ooty
The best time to visit Ooty would be from the months of April to June and September to November. During the summers, the overall climate in Ooty is pleasant, thus if you want, you can plan a trip to Ooty during this season. During the monsoon season, Ooty generally receives heavy rainfall so, traveling here in the monsoon months is only good if you like rain. The winter is also a great time to visit Ooty, the temperature during this time can go below five degrees.
Places To Visit In Ooty
Ooty is among the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Here's the list of the places to visit in Ooty.
1. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The railway line was built by the Britishers in 1908. And in 2005, UNESCO added this travel destination as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The toy train here covers an area of around 46 km. If you are planning to travel with kids, then this tourist spot is unmissable.
2. Ooty Lake
It is an artificial lake heavily surrounded by eucalyptus trees. This lake is also considered as one of the primary tourist hotspots in Ooty. However, over the years, the size of the lake has shrunk considerably. In the end, it is a place worth traveling to and worth remembering.
3. Ooty Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens in Ooty were established in 1848. It is said that the Italian garden here was laid down by the prisoners of war from World War 1. However, now this place is being managed by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.
4. Thread Garden Ooty
This place has one of the largest and also the best collection of artificial flowers. The mastermind behind this place was Mr Anthony Joseph who took 12 years of time to convert this place into a reality. Covered in natural flora, it has been termed as the 'Millenium Miracle'. One can see a lot of exciting foreign faces from various countries.
5. Emerald Lake
The Emerald lake is located in a region that is also known as the 'Silent Valley'. And while visiting here, the most joyful activity you can do here is to feed the fish. It is exciting to watch them gobble up the entire food. Emerald lake is also a great place to sit under a tree and have some alone time and perhaps gaze at the sky and birds.
How to Reach Ooty
Ooty is an adorable hill station in Tamil Nadu. If you are planning on visiting someplace where you can cool off your stress then this must be on the top of your list. Ooty is located at a distance of 2,427, 375, 2,150, 1,134 km from Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai respectively. Here is how you can reach Ooty by different modes of travel.
By Air
Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) is located at a distance of 80-90 km from Ooty is your best option to reach here by flights. Coimbatore International Airport primarily serves the city of Coimbatore and nearby regions. It is considered as the 18th busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic. The Coimbatore International Airport is served by a total of three foreign and five Indian carriers which provide direct connectivity to about 12 domestic and about 3 foreign destinations. After deboarding at the airport, you will need to take a cab to further reach Ooty.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Ooty
By Road
Depending upon your location you can take a bus, cab or your own vehicle to reach Ooty. Here is the route you can take to travel Ooty from various Indian cities.
From Nellore, the bus fares start from Rs.800. From Vellore, the bus fares are starting from Rs.600. From Bengaluru, the bus fares are starting from Rs.550. From Madurai, the bus fares are starting from Rs.250. Otherwise, you can also book bus tickets from the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) website.
- Bengaluru - 375 km via NH44
- Madurai - 303 km via NH44 or NH181
- Munnar - 242 km via Munnar - Udumaplet Road
- Mangalore - 367 km via NH275
- Mysuru - 125 km via NH766
- Tirupati - 506 km via NH48
By Train
The nearest railhead is the Mettupalayam (MTP). It is not very well connected with other Indian cities. Thus, it is recommended to visit Coimbatore first and then board a train to Ooty. You will need to take Nilgiri Express from Coimbatore Junction and deboard at the Metupalaiyam Junction.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ooty
Q. What are the popular tourist attractions in Ooty?
A. Some popular tourist attractions in Ooty include the Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Rose Garden, Pykara Lake and Falls, and Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
